Tools & Techniques:
Tips
The Measure Of Success
How we will know we made a difference
The common wisdom is that you get what you measure. So what do
we measure that will draw us toward healthier communities with
active citizen groups? How can we avoid the constant pressure to
go back to looking at the half-empty glass?
Researchers around the country are looking for the strategic community
assets and conditions that make families stronger, children healthier
and smarter, and citizens more engaged. When we have completed our
work we will know we are successful if:
THE COMMUNITY KNOWS AND USES ITS ASSETS.
When a community knows its assets and builds on them, it will
become stronger and healthier.
- Does the project map and promote the use of individual and
community gifts?
- Does the effort build on the gifts and assets of community
members?
THE COMMUNITY HAS OWNERSHIP (equity).
As the community develops the skills and abilities to manage its
money and resources, it has to develop equity. Neighborhoods with
the highest levels of ownership have the highest levels of stability
and the lowest levels of crime.
- Do individuals own more property in the community at the end
of the project?
- Do community associations own equity in cooperative real estate
ventures?
- Does money spent to solve community problems find its way into
paychecks for community members?
THE COMMUNITY HAS A VOICE (control).
- Do citizen groups have voting influence on funds spent in the
community?
- Do citizens define what community change is important to them
and how the change should come?
- Is there a plan in place to support creative citizen ideas?
THE COMMUNITY HAS AN INCREASED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS
ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ACTION.
- Are more people voting?
- Has the number of community volunteers increased?
THE COMMUNITY HAS AN INCREASED NUMBER OF ACTIVE GROUPS
OR ASSOCIATIONS.
- Are there more political action and civic groups?
- Are the various groups planning and working more together around
a common vision?
*Read, "A Guide to Evaluating Asset-Based Community Development:
Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities"
by Thomas Dewar, ACTA Publications.
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